Judiciary pays tribute to legal icon Pheroze Nowrojee in special court session
The Judiciary held a Special Closing File Court Session on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, at the Supreme Court to honour the late Senior Counsel Pheroze Nowrojee, one of Kenya’s most respected legal minds.
The solemn but powerful tribute brought together top legal figures including Court of Appeal President Justice Daniel Musinga, Principal Judges Eric Ogola and Oscar Angote, the President of the Law Society of Kenya, Faith Odhiambo, Chair of the Senior Counsel Bar Dr Fred Ojiambo, as well as family, friends, and fellow lawyers.
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The special session was a formal and symbolic tradition observed by the Judiciary to celebrate the life and contributions of departed members of the Bar and the Bench.
“Legal practitioners pay tribute to the late Senior Counsel Pheroze Nowrojee during the Special Closing File Court Proceedings, held in his honour. They described him as an independent, firm, courageous and courteous legal professional,” a statement from the Judiciary read in part.
Chief Justice Martha Koome described Nowrojee as a passionate defender of justice, a mentor, and a courageous voice against authoritarianism, especially during Kenya’s most difficult political years.
“The tradition of conducting Closing of File Proceedings for departed colleagues at the Bar and the Bench is intended to serve as a symbolic reminder to both the members of the bench and bar that we are called to serve as missionaries in the temple of justice,” CJ Koome said.
She hailed his lifelong commitment to legal education, saying his teachings left a lasting mark on the legal profession across East Africa.
“Beyond litigation, Senior Counsel Pheroze Nowrojee’s legacy includes a rich contribution to legal education, mentorship, and public discourse. He taught law at the University of Dar es Salaam, the University of Nairobi, and the Kenya School of Law, influencing generations of lawyers and judges. He mentored countless young advocates, many of whom now hold senior positions in the Bar and the Bench,” she added.
Adding;
“A passionate defender of constitutionalism and human rights, Mr. Nowrojee was among the few legal minds who fearlessly challenged authoritarianism during Kenya’s most repressive years. He stood on the frontline of battles for civil liberties, undeterred by the personal risks involved. Mr. Nowrojee understood the law not as a technical tool, but as an instrument of justice, a shield for the oppressed, and a sword against impunity.”
Nowrojee’s legacy
Nowrojee, who died at the age of 84 on April 5, 2025, had a legal career spanning decades. He was admitted to the bar in Kenya, Tanzania, and Zanzibar and served as Chairman of the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) in 1968. He is remembered for his unshaken defence of constitutionalism and human rights, especially during the oppressive regimes of the 1980s and 1990s.
He was part of the legal team, alongside James Orengo, that represented Azimio leader Raila Odinga in the 2022 presidential election petition.
Outside courtrooms, Nowrojee was also a celebrated writer and poet. He authored several books including Pio Gama Pinto: Patriot for Social Justice (2007), Practising an Honourable Profession, A Vote for Kenya: The Elections and the Constitution (2013), A Kenyan Journey (2014), and Conserving the Intangible (2015).
In his lifetime, Pheroze Nowrojee wore many hats: lawyer, teacher, mentor, activist, and artist. But through it all, he remained a man of principle, deeply committed to justice and the rule of law.
